Rebecca Paucar

I attribute my success to my mom and my dad. They always pushed me to do my best in school, even when it was hard. I think that push is what made me feel like I could do things, even with these neurodivergent conditions. I want to be the teacher that believes in my students, no matter what. I really attribute my success to my mom and my dad and to my older brother. They all believed in me and pushed me to be my best self in school and just celebrated all of my successes along the way and have always expressed how proud they are of me. Having that support from them really made all the difference in the world for me.

I think the best career advice I've received came from my case manager at Inclusion Inc. They once told me that there is no shame in seeking support services or accommodations that can help you. Since then I have learned to advocate for what I need to help me be successful in my workplace. If I need a quiet space to process some big emotions, I'll seek an office that is not being used, go out to the courtyard, or stay after school hours after my colleagues have left for the day. If I need support, I'll share my vulnerability to my community of support. If I need rest, I will take a day off. If I need help, I'll switch out with one of my colleagues, ask my family, my husband, or my son, or ask my friends. This has greatly aided me in avoiding burnout especially in the profession I work in as I am able to reserve my energy for things and people that are worth my energy, my time, my patience, my compassion, and my empathy.

Learn to set healthy boundaries for yourself and make time for yourself. As an educator, my heart belongs with the students I serve and I think with almost every educator, their heart belongs to the students they serve. A student in your classroom spends approximately 180, 6 hour days with you. You laugh with them, you smile with them, you create memories with them, you teach them and learn from them as much as they learn from you. Many teachers and educators pour their heart and soul into a classroom, spending countless hours outside of contract hours to create lessons, decorate classrooms, plan parties, plan events, and attend meetings to support their students. It is great, commendable, and honorable, but if there is no time set aside for your family, your health, and yourself, it can burn you out.

The biggest opportunity in my field right now, especially with current research about the benefits of social-emotional learning, neurodivergencies, disabilities and inclusivity initiatives is there is an opportunity to foster a new generation that can demonstrate acceptance, tolerance, emotional intelligence, compassion, and empathy. There are expanding opportunities for the disabled and neurodivergent communities to come together with non-disabled, neurotypical allies to create supports and accommodations for each other that can help them be their best selves in their communities. There are expanding opportunities for the autistic, disabled, and neurodivergent individuals to share their lived experiences, network with like-minded individuals, and advocate against negative stigma and stereotypes. And this all starts with education, teaching, and fostering these qualities in the youth of today.

Compassion, Empathy, Respect, Understanding, Acceptance, Tolerance, Support, Accommodations, and Time are the most important to me in my personal life and in work. I foster and create authentic relationships with others built on a solid foundation of trust, respect, compassion, and understanding. I model how I would like to be treated by treating everyone respectfully. I apply these values to my parenting, my personal life and the communities I have created for myself, and my work life as well.